Abstract:
It is clear that there is no
long-term solution to energy supply
problems other than
planned and continuous conservation. The use of
low-grade energy as an unlimited resource will play an important part
in maintaining the balance between the future
of the world for
both developed and developing countries alike.
energy supply and demand
A literature
survey reviewing the most
, the
construction of low-grade energy engines has been
conducted. The V
promising approaches to'
validity of each feasible system has been examinéd and the
of
operation described
principles
cycle utilizing common suitable refrigerants (e.g. halo-carbons) as
A feasibility study concerning the adoption_of the organic Rankine `
working fluids has been conducted. In particular, the use of a
multiple vane expander as the prime mover has been
A suite of
computer programs
has been developed to
fully investigated;
describe working fluid properties optimise the geometrical and dynamical parameters of
the Rankine
cycle to
achieve the most efficient
operation in both steady and`transient states ' '
optimise the
mechanical design of the expander
depending
upon the mode of
operation and-the source and sink
characteristics '
fully flexible experimental test facility was constructed so
., as to be capable of testing a wide variety of prime movers. This has
_ been operated for a real time test period in excess of 300 hours.
` The test results are
encouraging. Efficiencies were measured V
in_accordance with the mathematical predictions and a portfolio of
-
and_reliable expander capable of utilising low
has been
produced. , Fruitful
links with relevant
have been forged. ,"Demonstrations of the
system are planned
the UK and overseas. L A ' ~
within
British industries
grade thermal energy
suggested
modifications towards a high efficiency, low-cost, robust